Wes Brown has been speaking about Sunderland ahead of the new campaign...

Ex-Sunderland defender Wes Brown has claimed that squad depth could prove to be a “problem” for the Black Cats this season as they prepare to balance their domestic duties with a Europa League campaign.

Regis Le Bris’ side are set to navigate a crowded fixture schedule over the coming months, and while there is an expectation that new signings will be made between now and the end of the transfer window in an effort to bolster their ranks, Brown is of the opinion that, at present, a smattering of untimely injuries could put real strain on his former side.

Speaking to Live Football Tickets, the pundit said: "Squad depth is always going to be a problem. If you pick up four or five injuries to your regular starters, then that's where the problem comes in because then everybody has to do the job. But that's what football's about. When someone gets an opportunity, can you step up and help the team? And that's going to be the question now - if that does happen, can the other players do that with the same attitude, the same charisma, and get wins and get points?”

Brown also went on to argue that Sunderland could also face a sterner test in the Premier League this season as well. He continued: "It's going to be a lot more difficult this year. You want to do the same thing in the league, but there’s going to be quite a few more games, and high-profile games.

“But that's where the club wants to be, and the second year is probably always the hardest. I'm sure the manager makes sure the lads understand that as well. This is where they probably have to give even more than they did last season because it's always harder, but it's something that the club has needed for a while."

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So far this summer, Sunderland have completed just one new signing, with veteran Belgian full-back arriving at the Stadium of Light as a free agent. Elsewhere, the Black Cats continue to be heavily linked with a swoop for promising French defender Dayann Methalie.

Your next Sunderland read: Phil Smith's Sunderland transfer Q&A: Dayann Methalie latest and player insight